Mahjong is a game of long-term strategy, but every hand plays an unpredictable role. This makes learning strategy difficult as results do not always reflect its quality.
To improve at mahjong, it’s essential to first study the general rules before exploring any exceptions – this approach provides a slower but more effective learning method.
Rules
One of the best ways to improve your mahjong game is to understand its rules. Doing this will keep you from becoming overwhelmed or making silly errors, while at the same time giving you time to concentrate on creating melds and pairs.
Keep an eye out for what tiles are available and which melds are possible, such as making three matching tiles into a “chow”, such as runs or straights. Some mahjong variants limit how many “chows” a player may form at one time.
Before starting to play, players exchange unwanted tiles through a ritual known as the Charleston. This allows players to improve their hand before beginning actual gameplay.
Some variants of mahjong include special tiles for the dummy player and different scoring systems; such as richi and dora scoring or replacing certain number 5 tiles with red ones to increase value. Furthermore, some variations utilize triangular arrangements instead of square layouts, adding another dimension of interest and some even including specific numbers of wildcard tiles decided either by choice or dice throws.
Variations
Mahjong offers many variations and rules that can be played, each offering something a bit different in terms of scoring or number of tiles in a set. Mahjong can be considered skill based games and there are ways that can help you win more.
Some mahjong variants utilize wild cards, which serve as tiles that can replace any other tile in your hand (other than chows). A wildcard tile could either be directly behind it on the wall after distribution of tiles to players or chosen randomly before starting play.
Other mahjong variations feature rules for specific types of melds and kongs. Singaporean/Malaysian mahjong features special four animal tiles with its own scoring system; additionally it also incorporates Charleston play in which three tiles are passed to the player opposite in every round.
Wind position is another key variation, as it determines who sits out a session. Each game starts off with East as the prevailing wind; as players retire they become new East Winds; other Wind positions include South, North and West.
Tiles
Mahjong tiles vary depending on their set. There are 166 total tiles; 152 used during play and 16 spares. Some sets may feature joker tiles that serve as zeros, and another called Hongs which can form certain types of melds.
Building the ideal mahjong strategy requires carefully studying your opponent’s hand. You must decide whether to discard tiles that might help your opponent or hold onto them in case an opportunity presents itself to form a Mahjong hand.
Goal of MahJong: Accumulate higher scores than your opponents. Scoring system uses hands identified by National MahJong League that are updated annually. Each player keeps a card to use as reference when building hands; racks and pushers may also help players keep track of tiles during play.
Mahjong hands must include four Pungs or Kongs plus either a double, limit, or half-limit special hand. Although a player could complete a hand without these extra hands by collecting multiple 3-of-a-kind runs and disregarding chows, such as could happen without doubles.
Gracmahjong.com – Polish website of popular Mahjong game teaches the game’s rules, variations, and tiles, as well as build their own Mahjong strategy.
